Fur treating machine



April 7, 1953 s. FRIEDMAN FUR TREATING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 9. 1950 RM 3 ME W F m M n 5 April 7, 1953 s. FRIEDMAN 2,633,731

FUR TREATING MACHINE Filed Sept. 9, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. SAM/EL FRIEDMAN ATTORNEYS April 7, 1953 s. FRIEDMAN 2,633,731

FUR TREATING MACHINE 7 Filed Sept. 9, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR. SAMUEL FE/EDMA/V April 7, 1953 s. FRIEDMAN 2,633,731

FUR TREATING MACHINE v'iled Sept. 9, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR. SAMUEL FRIEDMAN A 7702A/EK5 Patented Apr. 7, 1953 FUR TREATING MACHINE Samuel Friedman, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Reliable Machine Works, Inc., Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application September 9, 1950, Serial No. 183,941

54 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in fur treating machines, those improvements being here illustrated in a machine of the same general type as that disclosed in Friedman Patent No. 2,477,443 of July 26, 1949, entitled "Fur Conditioning Machine.

In the use of the machine disclosed in the said Friedman Patent 2,477,448, an undesirable effort on the part of the operator was necessary in order to force the pressure belt against the drum with sufiicient force to have a useful effect on the fur being treated. This not only led to excessive fatigue on the part of the operator, which in turn resulted in occasional damage to garments being treated, but also materially reduced the productivity of an operator, thus in eiiect increasing the cost of the equipment.

Another problem which has arisen in the use of the machines in question revolves about the fact that they are ordinarily employed for the deenergized as soon as the entanglement was noticed, the momentum of the moving system is great enough so that rotation would nevertheless continue for an appreciable time, aggravating the damage. Moreover, the switch for deenergizing the motor is normally interlocked with the carriage carrying the rollers, the switch being opened to deenergize the motor only if the carriage is moved a substantial distance away from the drum, As a result, even if the operator should, immediately upon discovering the entanglement, remove his foot from the foot treadle, several seconds will elapse before the rotating system will come to a standstill, and in those several seconds considerable additional damage can result. This is a source of considerable cost to the user of these machines, not only because disentanglement of the lining from themachine may take an appreciable time, thus removing the machines from production and decreasing their output, but also because repair of the linings must be made at the expense of the concern carrying out the conditioning operation.

From a constructional point of view, the prior machine, in mounting the driving motor for the I belt fixedly on the frame and in providing a uni-- versal linkage between the motor and the'movable carriage, required extra expense in initial manufacture and proved somewhat troublesome insofar as. dependability and upkeep were concerned.

In the said prior machine, the carriage was more or less rigidly connected to the foot treadle upon which the operator pressed, and consequently all shocks to which the carriage was subjected while the machine was in use, such as those caused by changes in thickness between parts of the garment being treated, were transferred directly to the foot of the operator. This not only made for additional fatigue on the part of the operator but also hindered the application of constant pressure against the rotating drum for all parts of the garment. pressure is necessary if a11 parts of the garments are to be equallytreated. I

The present invention has for its prime object a general reorganization of the important parts of the carriage, the actuator, and the driving mechanism for the belt, to the end that the above disadvantages can be cured. The motor and the intermediate connections between the motor and the belt are all mounted to move together and to the same extent, thus permitting the employment of simple connections which are initially inexpensive, dependable in operation, and require but little upkeep. The carriage, instead of being mounted so as to pivot about a fixed axis within the frame, is pivotally connected to the actuator so as to pivot about an axis movable with the actuator, the carriage being directed toward the rotary drum which constitutes the fur treating element by sliding over inclined tracks on the frame. As a result the effort required on the part of the operator to move the carriage toward the fur treating element is materially decreased. Moreover, the track is resiliently mounted on the frame and the carriage slides over the track with a resilient member therebetween, and as a result shocks imparted to the carriage are to a large extent taken up by the resiliencies above referred to and hence are not transmitted in full force to the foot of the operator. As an additional feature, one of the guides over which the belt is movable may also be resiliently mounted, thus additionally serving to absorb shock and insulate the operator therefrom.

In order to provide for almost instantaneous cessation of rotation of a guide roller with which Such constant 1:3 a garment lining may become entangled, means are provided by which the belt may be almost instantaneously collapsed. Since only one of the guides over which the belt passes is positively rotated by the motor, and since that guide is so positioned that the garment being treated never comes near it, collapse of the belt will cause immediate cessation of rotation of the other guides, which are in the nature of idlers, and hence serious entanglements are completely avoided and those entanglements which do occur can be minimized through alert action on the part of the operator. Disentanglement can be effected by the moving belt in reverse by hand after it has been collapsed.

Different types of garments may require different belt tensions as the belt moves over thecarriage, Thi poses a problem when the driving means for the belt is movable with and to' the same extent as the carriage and when it is desired to utilize a direct and non-variable connection between motor and belt, since'change in position of the guide rotated by'the motor in order to varythe tension on the belt is, at first glance, inconsistent therewith. However, by mounting the motor and guide in themanner hereinafter described theposition of the guide may be adjusted to any desired degree without afiecting the drive thereto. Broadly considered, this result isachieved by utilizing a pair of driven members, one of which is operatively connected to the driving guide to rotatethe latter, one of the driven.

members moving towardor away from a remote driving'member to the same extent as but in an opposite direction from'the other driven member, so that the'length and eiiectiveness of an endless belt or sprocket chain passing over both driven members and" the driving member can remain constant" whatever the position of the'driving guide.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing, and such other objects as mayhereinafter appear, the present invention relates to the construction andlarrangement of parts in a fur treating machine, as defined in the appended claims and as described in this specification, taken together with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

Fig,- l is a-sideelevational view of one embodiment of. the present inventiornthe carriage being in inoperative position, with part of the frame broken away;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary View thereof showing the belt in collapsed'condition;

Fig. 3 is'a view similar to Fig. l'but' showing the position which the parts assume when the carriage is moved to operative position pressed against the fur treating element;

Fig. 4 isa front elevational view, partially in cross-section, of themachine with its parts positioned as in Fig. 1, the belt. being removed from the carriage;

Fig. 5 is-a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing the construction of the bearing forthe driving member coaxial with the shaft whichpivotally connects the actuator and the carriage;

Fig. 6 isa side elevational view on anenlarged scaleofitheupper portion of the carriage, taken along ,the .line 6-6 of Fig. 4, showing the three guides there positioned and their manner of mounting, the left hand guide being shown in extended position;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary side elevational view, taken from the opposite side from that of Fig. 6,

' invention comprises a frame generally designated A on which a fur treating element generally designated B is mounted. A carriage C is mounted in the frame A so as to be movable toward and away from the fur treating element B, a pressure belt D being. mounted on the carriage so as to be pressed thereby aa'ginst the fur treating element B, a fur garment bein adapted to be interposed between the belt D and the fur treating element B whenthe machine is use. When, as is here specifically illustrated, the pressure belt D takes the formof an endless belt which is moved over the carriage in the direction of its own length by a driving means operatively connected thereto, means generally designated F isprovided through which well nigh instantaneous collapse of the belt D on the carriage C can be achieved. It must be borne in mind that the collapsing means F could be employed even when a non-continuous or non-movable belt D is utilized and that many other aspects of the present invention could have great utility under the same circumstances.

The carriage C is, mounted so as to be movable along an inclined. track G which is fixed to the frame A, and an actuator H is operatively connected to the carriage C, and to the driving means E if present, in order to move them between an operative position in which the belt D is pressed against the fur treating element B (see Fig. 3) and an inoperative position in which the belt D is-remote from the fur treating elementB (see Fig. 1).

The frame A includes U-shaped side pieces 2 secured together by appropriate cross pieces 4, the fur treatingelement B in the form of a drum 6 being rotatably mounted at 8 between the extremitiesof the upper arms of the side pieces 2 and being driven in rotation by means of a motor. 10 to which it is connected by belt l2 or the like. The drum 6 may take the. conventional form ofja. hollow body having a cylindrical externalfur. conditioning surface I4 provided with inclineddeep notches or depressions I 6. The drum 6.is, heated in conventional manner and as a resultthe cylindrical surface [4 exerts a pressing action upon a fur piece 18 (see Fig. 3) forced'thereagainst. The notches I6, by agitating'the fur fibersas the drum 6 is rotated, perform a brushing operation. In some of the well known embodiments of the drum 6, actual brushing elements in the form of bristles are applied toselected areas of the surface [4 of the drum 6. Insofar as the present invention is concerned, other types of fur treating elements B could be employed as well.

The carriage C. is hereillustrated in the form of a pair of spaced members 20 the lower extremities of which. are pivotally mounted on shaft.22 carried by the inwardly extending ends '24 of spaced levers 25 pivotally mounted on shaft 28 journalled in upstanding legs 33 at the front of the frame A. The levers 28 extend out beyond. the front of the frame A at the bottom thereof and are bridged by a platform 32 constituting a foot treadle upon which the operator may step. This linkage, pivotally connected to the carriage C, constitutes the actuator H.

The front portion of the frame A is provided, at a point somewhat midway of its height, with a bar 34 rigidly secured in brackets 38 fastened to the side pieces 2, the bar 34 extending across the frame A and having tracks G in the form of shaped fiat bars 38 pivotally secured thereto by means of collars 40, the bars 38 being inclined upwardly and inwardly toward the fur treating element B. They constitute the inclined track G. Brackets 42 extend inwardly from the side pieces 2 so as to overlie the upper ends of the bars 38, springs 44, the tension of which may be controlled by screws 46 passing through the brackets 42, being interposed between the brackets 42 and the bars 38. These springs tend to force the upper ends of the bars 38 away from the brackets 42, screws 48 secured to the bars 38 and having nutted ends 58 passing through lugs 52 on the brackets 42 and serving as positive stops to prevent the upper ends of the bars 38 from being moved too far away from the brackets 42. In view of the collar-bar connection 40-34 the bars 38 are consequently resiliently mounted on the frame A so as to be pivotable to a restricted extent about the bar 34, being normally urged in a clockwise direction thereabout as viewed in Fig. 1 but being movable in a counter-clockwise direction to a limited degree if sufficient force is applied thereto.

Each of the spaced members 29 constituting the main supporting frame of the carriage C is mounted inside the bars 38 and is provided, at a point along its length, with a wheel 54 rotatably mounted thereon, the carriage C being tilted toward the front of the machine with respect to the shaft 22 about which it is pivotable, so that wheels 54, connected to the spaced members 20 by means of shafts 5B, are urged against the bars 38 by the weight of the carriage C. Hence when the carriage C is moved from its inoperative position, a shown in Fig. l, to its operative position against the fur treating element B, as shown in Fig. 3, this being accomplished by counterclockwise pivoting of the levers 26, the shaft 22 about which the carriage C is pivotable is lifted and the carriage C slides along the bars 38, rotation of the wheels 54 facilitating that motion, until the operative position illustrated in Fig. 3 is achieved. When the carriage C is in its operative position any shocks exerted thereupon will be transmitted through the wheels 54 to the upper ends of the bars 38 and will tend to cause those bars 38 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction about the bar 34. Since some movement in that direction is permitted by the springs 44, much of the shock will be absorbed by those springs and hence will not be transmitted directly or in any great proportion to the foot trea-dle 32 upon which the operator presses with his foot in order to lift the carriage C. Since these shocks are transmitted through the wheels 54, it has been found desirable in many instances to make those wheels at-least in part of a resilient material such as rubber, so that the wheels themselves will serve to cushion the shock. A further advantage of the use of rubber wheels 54 is that the operation of the carriage C in moving from operative to inoperative position or vice-versa is rendered much less noisy.

In order to assist in fixing the inoperative position of the carriage C, the bars 38 are pro-- vided with inwardly extending arms 51 on which riage C in the direction of its own length, comprise a plurality of rollers including a driving roller 58, an idler roller 63 opposed with respect thereto, and a pair of ofiset rollers 62 and 64 on either side of the opposed rollers 58 and 68. It may be stated at this pointthat the particular location of the rollers, and the designation of specific rollers as driving, opposed, and offset, may be varied widely, the illustrated embodiment showing but one possible mode of arrangement.

The idler roller is rotatably mounted between the ends of the spaced members 22. The idler roller 62 is rotatably mounted between the extremities of arms 66 each pivotally mounted at 68 in projections it! secured to the spaced members 20. Secured to and depending from the arms are plates 12, these plates having inwardly extending flanges 14 carrying fingers #6 each having an outwardly extending flange 18 which carries a stud overlying and adapted to be brought into contact with the edge of the spaced members 23'. The stud 80 is adjustable in the flange 18 so as to fix the minimum degree to which the arms 68 carrying the roller 32 can pivot in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 1 and 6. A

spring 82 is active between a housing 34 mounted on the inner surface of each of the spaced membars 26 and a lug 88 secured to the plate 12, the spring 82 tending to resiliently urge the arms 66 to pivot in a counter-clockwise direction, the tension of the spring 82 being adjustable by means of screw 88 extending out from the housing 84. The rollers 60 and 62 are so positioned relative to one another that when the carriage C is moved to its operative position (see Fig. 3) that portion of the belt D between the rollers 60 and 62 will tend to be pressed against and conform to a substantial area of the cylindrical external fur conditioning surface 14 of the drum 5. The resilient mounting of the roller 62 will further act to insulate the foot of the operator from shocks exerted on the carriage C, the springs 82 absorbing some of that shock.

The driving roller 58 is rotatably mounted between arms 99 pivotally mounted at 92 on extensions 94 from the spaced members 23. The arms 93 are provided with upward extensions 95 through which screws 98 are passable, the ends of the screws abutting against lugs iflil secured to the spaced members 2!]. The screw 98, when threaded through the upward extension 95, will fix the pivotal position of arm with respect to the extension 94, thus causing the roller 58 to move toward and away from the rollers 60 and 62. By appropriately positioning the roller 58 in this manner the tension on the belt D can be adjusted to correspond to desired conditions. When the upward extension 96 is threaded on the forward part of the screw 98 the arm 96 will pivot in a clockwise direction and hence the roller 53 will be moved toward the rollers 66 and 62, thus decreasing the tension in the belt D. When the screw 98 is rotated so that the upward extension 96 is threaded on the rearward portion thereof, the arm 9!! will be pivoted in a counter-clockwise direction, the roller 58 will move away from the :rollers and 62, and the tension on the belt D Will be increased.

The offset roller 66 is rotatably mounted between the ends of arms I02, those arms being pivotally mounted at I54 on extensions WE projecting out from the spaced members 29 in a direction such as to make an acute angle with a line between the rotary axes of the opposed rollers 58 and Ell. The arm IE2 is provided with a bent portion m8 which, when the arm I62 is substantially in line with the extension I855, abuts against the end of that extension I236, so that the arm I02 cannot further rotate in a clockwise direction. However, the lower portion of the end of the extension I03 is cut away, as at I It, so that the arm I92 can freely fall to a substantially vertical position, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 7, pivotal motion of the arm I82 to this substantially vertical position being in a direction away from the acute angle formed by the extension I96 and the line between the centers of the opposed rollers 58 and 80. When the arm I02 i in its position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6, in which it is substantially in line with the extension I36, the roller 64 carried thereby is in an extended position such that the belt D is maintained in tension. The tension of the belt D, as determined by the positioning of the roller 58 and as maintained by the action of springs 82 active on the rollers 62, tends to retain the roller 64 in that extended position,

since the roller 56, to attain its retracted position as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6', must move in an over-center manner, first reaching a position more remote from the line between the rollers 58 and 60 (the arm I92 would then be perpendicular to a line between the centers of the rollers 58 and 60) before it can reach the retracted position closer to the line between the roller 53 and 68 than when it was in its extended position. It will be noted that when the roller 64 is in its retracted position it is so close to the line between the opposed rollers 58 and 56 that, whatever degree of play might exist in the means for tensionin the belt D, that degree of play would be insufficient to maintain the belt D in tensioned condition. It may be noted at this point that when the belt D is moved on the carriage C in the direction of its own length, it preferably moves in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, and motion of the belt D in that direction will further tend to retain the roller 64 in extended position.

Whenever it is desired to collapse the belt D on the carriage C in as rapid a manner as possible, as when the belts or lining of a fur piece I8 may become entangled with one of the rollers 60 or 62, it is merely necessary for the operator to press down strongly on that portion of the belt directly over the roller 6 The belt, being somewhat elastic, will give in response to this pressure and hence the roller E l can, through that pressure, be moved over-center and to its retracted position. Compression of the springs 82 in response to the pressure exerted by the operator will further aid in permitting motion of the roller 64 from its extended to its retracted positions. When this has been accomplished the belt D will not only be slack butwill not even be in contact with the driving roller 58 (see Fig. 2), and hence even if the driving roller 58 is still rotating the belt D will not be moved and the rollers 60 and 62, which are merely idler rollers, will no longer rotate.

After the entanglement has been cleared, the roller 64 may be again moved to extended position by causing the arms I92 to pivot in a clockwise direction, finger pieces H2 being provided for that purpose.

In order to rotate the driving roller 58 and thus cause the endless belt D to move over the carriage C in the direction of its own length a driven member in the form of gear I I4 is drivingly connected to the roller 58 and is rotatably mounted on one end of the arm 90, a second driven member I I5 bein rotatably mounted on the other end of the arm equally spaced from the pivotal axis 92 thereof with respect to the first driving member He but on the opposite side of the axis B2 therefrom. A driving member in the form of ear H8 is freely rotatably mounted on the end of shaft 22, a roller bearing I28 being interposed therebetween, the shaft 22 constituting the pivotal axis between the actuator and carriage C. The gear i I8 is connected by means of set screw I22 for rotation with shaft I 24, that shaft extending from gear reduction unit I26 driven by motor I28 via a belt drive I30 or the like. The motor I28 and the gear reduction unit I26 are both mounted on plate I32 which is in turn pivotally mounted on the same shaft 28 which constitutes the pivotal axis for the lever 26. A sprocket chain I34 (shown in phantom in Fig. 1 and omitted in Fig. 3) connects the driving mem ber H8 and the driven members H4 and H6.

By using a pair of driven members H4 and H6 each equally spaced from and on opposite sides of the pivotal axis 92 of the arm 90 on which they are rotatably mounted, changes in the pivotal position of the arm $9, which changes are made in order to vary the tension of the beltD, do not affect the drive between the members H4, H5 and H8, since the member H6 will move toward or away from the member I I3 to the same extent as, but in the opposite direction from, movement of the driven member I I4. Hence the sprocket chain IBA need not be 'expansible, its length may remain constant, and its tension will not be appreciably varied despite diiferent positioning of the roller 58.

Since the driving member I It! moves with and to the same extent as the carriage C when that carriage C is moved between operative and inoperative positions, connection between the members H4, H5 and IIS remains undisturbed, no matter in what position the carriage C may be placed. Moreover, since the motor I28, the gear reduction unit I25 and all intermediate connections between the motor Q28 and the driving member H3 are operatively connected to the actuator H and move therewith and with the carriage C, no change in the connections in the entire line of drive from motor I 28 to drive roller 58 takes place no matter what the position of the carriage C may be. Hence, comparatively expensive and undependable universal linkages such as were employed in the machine of Patent 2,477,448 are completely eliminated.

In order to aid the operator in lifting the carriage C to its operative position, and in order to cushion the fall of the carriage C to its inoperative position when the pressure of the operators foot on the foot treadle 42 is released, a pair of counterbalanoin springs I36, I36 are provided, one on each side, the spring I36 being connected between a hook I38 on the right hand bar 38 and a fixed arm I48 secured to the plate I32 on which the motor I28 and gear reduction unit I23 are mounted. The spring I35 is connected between a hook I38 on the left hand bar 38 and an extensionof the shaft 22 which conrespect to its pivotal axis.

stitutes the pivotal connection between the actuator H and the carriage G.

Since these springs I36 are of the extension type, and since their length decreases when the carriage C is moved from inoperative to operative position (compare Fig. l with Fig. 3) the operator would seem to be required to apply greater and greater pressure to the foot treadle 32 in such motion, the greatest amount of pressure being necessary when the belt D is actually pressed against the fur treating element B. However, the carriage mounting and the belt driving means are constructed to assist the operator in this operation, the driving means being eifective to reduce the amount of pressure required to be exerted by the operator the carriage mounting being effective to ensure that the necessary force is at a minimum when the carriage has reached its operative position.

It will be noted that the driven member H6 has a smaller diameter than the driving member II8.- The driving member H8 is rotated in a clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow I40 of Fig. 10, so that the sprocket chain I34 is tensioned between the driving member H8 and the driven member H6. Because of the difference in diameter between these two members the tension in the sprocket chain I34 will have a component perpendicular to a line between the centers of the members H6 and H8 and acting in a direction such as to tend to pivot the carriage C in a clockwise direction toward the fur treating element B. Hence rotation of the driving member H8, which, it will be remembered, is free to rotate with respect to the carriage C, will tend to urge the carriage C toward the fur treating element B. Indeed, the greater the resistance of the belt D to motion in the direction of its length, the greater will be the tension on the sprocket chain I34 and hence the greater will be the pivoting effect of the driving member I I 8 on the carriage C.

It will also be noted that as the carriage C approaches its operative position it is pivoted more and more in a clockwise direction with Hence a smaller and smaller proportion of its weight will tend to pivot it in a counter-clockwise direction, and as a result the less force will be required on the part of the operator and the greater will be the proportional aiding effect of the rotation of the driving member H8.

The present embodiment, like the embodiment 'in Patent 2,477,448, utilizes a table I42 secured I to the frame A and having an aperture I44 therein through which the carriage C is passable, the

- carriage normally assuming a position flush with or slightly below the top level of table I42 (see .Fig. 1) so that fur pieces can be properly placed thereon, the carriage C then lifting the fur pieces .above the table I42 when moved to its operative position as in Fig. 3.

The manner of operation and the advantages of the machine of the present invention will in the main be fully apparent from the preceding of the belt D. The fur treating element B is rotated at a high speed by the motor Ill. The fur piece It is placed upon the table I42 and aligned in proper position. When fur treating operations are to start the operator steps on the foot treadle I42, thus causing the lever 26 to pivot in a counter-clockwise direction and lifting the carriage C, the carriage undergoing a complex motion along the guides 38 while at the same time pivoting about the shaft 22. The motor I28, gear reduction unit I26 and the drivin member [I8 will lift along with and to the same exagainst a substantial area, of the fur treating element B (see Fig. 3), any shocks to which the carriage 0 might be subjected, as by reason of irregularities or discontinuities in the fur piece I8, will not be transmitted directly to the foot of the operator, but instead will be absorbed in large part by the resilience of the belt D between the rollers 66 and 62, by compression of the springs 82 which urge the roller 62 outwardly,

by the resilient nature of the wheels 54 if they.

be so constructed, and by the springs 44 which urge the guides 38 in a clockwise direction.

Hence, since the operator need not exert as much force as might be expected, the motor I28 acting through the driving member II8 assisting him, and since shocks to which the carriage C may be subjected are to a large extent absorbed by the machine and not transmitted to him, operator fatigue is materially reduced, the operator is permitted to act in a freer and easier fashion, and hence productivity is increased.

Should any part of the fur piece I8, such as the lining, become entangled with the rollers 60 and 62 next to which it passes, immediate cessation of rotation of those rollers can be effective merely by pressing downwardly strongly on that portion of the belt between the rollers 64 and 60. An instantaneous impulse is sufficient to permit the roller 64, normally held in its extended position by the tension of the belt D and by the motion of the belt D over the guides in a clockwise direction, to move over-center to its retracted position, thus permitting the belt D to collapse and move out of driven engagement with the .driving roller 58. Since the belt D isno longer urged in motion, the rollers and 62, being idler rollers, will also cease rotation, and hence entanglement can be avoided or held down to an insignificant extent. Disentanglement may be easily achieved merely by manually moving the belt D in a reversed direction, the collapsed condition of the belt making this readily possible.

It will be noted that the belt is inclined between the rollers 64 and 60. This incline facilitates the placing of fur arments on the belts and at the same time keeps the gap between the opening I44 in the table I42 and the belt D at a minimum.

It will be apparent that many variations may be made in the specific design here disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Iclaim:

1. Ina fur treating machine comprising a fur treating element and a pressure belt movable toward and away therefrom, the improvement which-comprises a carriage movable toward and away from said furtreating element and having a plurality of spaced guides, a belt positione over said guides, means for tensioning said belt on said guides, said tensioning means having a limited degree of play, one of said guides being mounted on said carriage so as to be movable between an extended position in which the belt positioned thereover is tensioned by said tensioning means and a retracted position closer to said carriage than said extended position by an amount greater than the de ree of play of said tensioning means, movement of said one of said guides to retracted position thus causing said belt to collapse on said carriage.

2. In a fur treating machine comprising a fur "treating element and a pressure belt movable toward and away therefrom, the improvement which comprises a carriage movable toward and away from said fur treating element and having a plurality of spaced guides, a belt positioned over said guides, means for tensioning said belt on said guides, said tensioning means having a limited degree of play, one of said guides being mounted on said carriage so as to be movable in an overcenter manner between an extended position in which the belt positioned thereover is tensioned by said tensioning means and a retracte position closer to said carriage than said extended position by an amount greater than the degree of play of said tensioning means, movement of said oneof said guides to retracted position thus causing said belt to collapse on said carriage.

3. In a fur treating machine comprising a fur treating element and a pressure belt movable toward and away therefrom, the improvement Which comprises a carriage movable toward and away from said, fur treating element and having a plurality of spaced guides, a belt positioned over said guides, means for tensioning said belt on said guides, said tensioning means having a limited degree of play, one of said guides being mounted on said carriage so as to be'movable between an extended position in which the belt positioned thereover is tensioned by said tensioning means and a retracted position closer to said carriage than said extended position by an amount greater than the degree of play of said tensioning means,

movement of said one of said guides to retracted position thus causing said belt to collapse on said carriage, said belt and said tensioning means bein so positioned with respect to said one of said guides that the tension ofsaid belt normally tends to retain said one of said guides in its extended position, one of said belt and said tensioning means yielding to the application of pressure on said one of said guides to permit it to be moved to retracted position.

l. In a fur treating machine comprising a fur treating element and a pressure belt movable toward and away therefrom, the improvement which comprises a carriage movable toward and away from said fur treating element and having a plurality of spaced guides including an offset guide out of line with a pair of opposed guides, a belt positioned over said guides, means for tensioning said belt on said guides, said tensioning means having a limited degree of play, said offset guide being pivotally mounted on an arm extending from said carriage at an acute angle with respect to a line between said opposed guides, said offset guide being movable between an extended position substantially in line with said arm, in which position said belt is tensioned thereover by said tensioning means, and a retracted position pivotally displaced from said extended position in a direction away from said acute angle and closer to said carriage than said extended position by a distance exceeding the degree of play of said tensioning means, movement of said ofiset guide to retracted position thus causing said belt to collapse on said carriage.

5. In a fur treating machine comprising a fur treating element and an endless pressure belt movable toward and away therefrom and also movable in the direction of its own length, the improvement which comprises a carriage movable toward and away from said fur treating element and having a plurality of spaced guides, an endless belt positionable over said guides, means for tensioning said belt on said guides, said tensioning means having a limited degree of play, means for moving said belt over said guides in a given direction, one of said guides being pivotally mounted on said carriage so as to be movable between an extended position in which the belt is. tensioned by said tensioning means and a retracted position closer to said carriage than said extended position by a distance exceeding the degree of play of said tensioning means, movement of said one of said guides from extended to retracted position being opposite to the direction of movement of said belt over said one of said guides, movement of said one of said guides to retracted position thus causing sai belt to collapse on said carriage, movement of said belt over said guides normally tending to retain said one of said guides in extended position.

6. In a fur treating machine comprising a fur treating element and an endless pressure belt movable toward and away therefrom and also movable in the direction of its own length, the improvement which comprises a carriage movable toward and away from said fur treating element and having a plurality of spaced guides, an endless belt positionable over said guides, means for tensioning said belt on said guides, said tensioning means having a limited degree of play, means for moving said belt over said guides in a given direction, one of said guides being pivotally mountedon said carriage so as to be movable in an over-center manner between an extended position in which the belt is tensioned by said tensioning means and a retracted position closer to said carriage than said extended position by a distance exceeding the degree of play of said tensioning means, movement of said one of said guides from. extended to retracted position being opposite to the direction of movement of said belt over said one of said guides, movement of one of said guides to retracted position thus causing said belt to collapse on said carriage, movement of said belt over said guides normally tending to retain said one of said guides in extended position.

7. In a fur treating machine comprising a fur treating element and an endless pressure belt movable toward and away therefrom and also movable in the direction of its own length, the improvement which comprises a carriage movable toward and away from said fur treating element and having a plurality of spaced guides, including an onset guide out of line with a pair of opposed guides, an endless belt positionable over said guides, means for tensioning said belt on said guides, said tensioning means having a limited-degree of play, means for moving said belt over saidguides in a given direction, said offset guide being pivotally mounted on an arm extending from said carriage at an acute angle with respect to a line between said opposed guides, said offset guide being movable between 13 an extended position substantially in line with said arm, in which position said belt is tensioned thereover by said tensioning means, and a retracted position pivotally displaced from said extended position in a direction away from said acute angle and closer to said carriage than said extended position by a distance exceeding the degree of play of said tensioning means, movement of said offset guide to retracted position thus causing said belt to collapse on said carriage.

8. A fur treating machine comprising a frame, a fur treating element thereon, a carriage, an

inclined track on said frame oriented toward said element, an operative sliding connection between said carriage and said track, and an actuator operatively connected to said carriage for moving it along said track toward and away from said element.

9. The fur treating machine of claim 8 in which said track is resiliently mounted on said frame so as to take up shocks imparted to said carriage.

10. The fur treating machine of claim 8 in which the operative sliding connection between said carriage and said track comprises a resilient wheel rotatably seciired to said carriage and rollit along said track toward and away from said element.

12. A fur treating machine comprising a frame, a fur treating element thereon, a carriage, an endless belt mounted on said carriage and movable thereover, a driving element operatively connected to said belt for moving it over said carriage, a motor operatively connected to said driving element for moving the latter, an actuator operatively connected to said carriage for moving it toward and away from said fur treating element, and an operative connection between said actuator and said driving element for moving the latter together with and to the same extent as the said carriage, thus maintaining constant the distance between said driving element and said carriage for all positions of said carriage.

13. A fur treating machine comprising a frame, a fur treating element thereon, a carriage, an endless belt mounted on said carriage and movable thereover, an actuator pivotally mounted on said frame and articuately connected to said carriage for moving it toward and away from said fur treating element, a driving element operatively connected to said belt for moving it over said carriage, a motor operativ ely connected to said driving element for moving the latter,

said driving element being operatively connected to said actuator so as to be moved with and to the same extent as said carriage, thus maintaining constant with the distance between said driving element and said carriage for all positions of said carriage.

14. A fur treating machine comprising a frame,

a fur treating element thereon, a carriage, an endless belt mounted on said carriage and movable ,thereover, driving means including'a mo- '14 tor and a wheel rotated thereby, an operative connection between said wheel and said belt for moving the latter over said carriage, an actuator pivotally connected to said carriage for mov- I ing it toward and away from said element, said wheel being coaxial with the pivotal connection between said actuator and said carriage, and said driving wheel being operatively connected to said actuator for movement therewith and to the same extent as said carriage, thus maintaining constant the distance between said driving wheel and said carriage for all positions of said carriage.

15. A fur treating machine comprising a frame, a fur treating element thereon, a carriage, an endless belt mounted on said carriage and movable thereover, driving means including a motor and a wheel rotated thereby, an operative con-' nection between said wheel and said belt for moving the latter over said carriage, an actuator pivotally connected to said carriage for moving it toward and away from said element, said wheel being coaxial with the pivotal connection between said actuator and said carriage, said actuator being pivotally mounted on said frame and said driving means being operatively connected to said actuator and pivotable on said frame about the same axis as said actuator, said driving wheel being moved by said actuator together with and to the same extent as said carriage, thus maintaining constant the distance between said drivin wheel and said carriage for all positions of said carriage.

16. A fur treating machine comprising a frame, a carriage, a plurality of guides on said carriage, an endless belt positioned on and movable over said guides, an arm pivotally mounted on said carriage and extending on both sides of its pivotal axis, one of said guides being rotatably mounted on said arm to one side of said axis, a rotatable driven member on said arm and operatively connected to said one of said guides for simultaneous rotation therewith, a second rotatable driven member on said arm on the other side of said motion of said arm on said carriage varying the tension exerted on said belt by said one of said guides but not disturbing the operative connections between said driving member and said one of said guides for moving said belt .over said guides.

17. In the fur treating machine of claim 16, means for adjustably fixing the pivotal position of said arm on said carriage.

18. In the fur treating machine of claim 16, means for resiliently tensioning said belt on said guides, said tensioning means having a limited degree of play, another of said guides being mounted on said carriage so as to be movable between an extended position in which the belt positioned thereover is tensioned by said tensioning means and a retracted position closer to said carriage than said extended position by an amount greater than the degree of play of said tensioning means, movement of said one of said guides to retracted position thus causing said belt to collapse on said carriage.

19. In the fur treating machine of claim 16,

I a fur treating element on said frame, said carriage being movable toward and away from said element, and an actuator operatively connected to said carriage to so move it, said rotatable driving member being operatively connected to said carriage so as to move with and to the same extent as said carriage.

20. In the fur treating machine of claim 19, a motor operatively connected to said rotatable driving member for rotating the latter, said motor being operatively connected to said actuator so as to move with said driving member.

21. In the fur treating machine of claim 16, a fur treating element on said frame, an inclined track on said frame oriented toward said element, an operative sliding connection between said carriage and said track, and an actuator operatively connected to said carriage for moving it along said track toward and away from said element, said rotatable driving member being operatively connected to said carriage so as to move with and. to the same extent as said carriage.

22. In the fur treating machine of claim 21, a motor operatively connected to said rotatable driving member for rotating the latter, said motor being operatively connected to said actuator so as to move with said driving member.

23. In the fur treating machine of claim 1b, a fur treating element on said frame, an inclined track on said frame oriented toward said element, an operatively sliding connection between said carriage and said track, and an actuator pivotally mounted on said frame and pivotally connected to said carriage for moving it along said track toward and away from said element, said rotatable driving member being coaxial with the pivotal connection between said actuator and said carriage and being operatively connected to said carriage so as to move with and to the same extent as said carriage.

24. In the fur treating machine of claim 23, a motor, and operative connections between said motor and said rotatable driving member for rotating the latter, said motor, said operative connections and said rotatable driving member being operatively connected to said actuator and mounted on said frame so as to be pivotable about an axis-parallel to the pivotal axis of said actuator.

25. A fur treating machine comprising a frame, a carriage pivotally mounted therein, a rotatable driven member on said carriage, a rotatable driving-member, and a belt-type connector linking said driving and driven members for simultaneous rotation, said driven and driving members having different diameters so that the portion of said connector between said driving and driven members and tensioned when said driving member is rotated is non-parallel to a line between the centers of said driven and driving members, rotation of said driving member causing rotation of said driven member and also tending to cause said carriage to pivot.

26. A fur treating machine comprising a frame, a carriage pivotally mounted therein, a rotatable driven member on said carriage, a rotatable driving member mounted so as to be rotatable about the pivotal axis of said carriage, and a belt-type connector linking said driving and driven members for simultaneous rotation, said driven and driving members having different diameters so that the portion of said connector between said driving and driven members and tensioned when said driving member is rotated is non-parallel to a line between the centers of said driven and driving members, rotation of said driving member causing rotation of said driven member and also tending to cause said carriage to pivot.

2.7. Aiur treating machine comprising a frame,

a carriage pivotally mounted therein, an arm piv-' otally mounted on said carriage and extending in opposite directions from its pivotal axis, a first driven member rotatably mounted on said arm to one side of said axis, a second driven member rotatably mounted on said arm on the other side of said axis, said driven members being equally spaced from said axis, a rotatable driving member mounted so as to be rotatable about the pivotal axis of said carriage, and a belt-type connector linking said driving member and said driven members for simultaneous rotation, said driving member and one of said driven members having dilierent diameters so that the portion of said connector between said driving and driven members and tensioned when said driving member is rotated. is non-parallel to a line between the centers of said driving member and said one of said driven members, rotation of said driving member causing rotation of said driven members and also tending to cause said carriage to pivot.

28. In the fur treating machine of claim 27, means for adiustably fixing the pivotal position of said arm on said carriage.

29. In the fur treating machine of claim 27, a fur treating element on said frame, an inclined track on said frame oriented toward said arm, an operative sliding connection between said carriage and said track, and an actuator pivotally connected to said carriage for moving it along said track toward and away from said element, said rotatable driving member being rotatable about the pivotal axis between said actuator and said carriage and being operatively connected to said carriage so as to move with and to the same extent as said carriage.

30. In the fur treating machine of claim 29, a motor operatively connected to said rotatable driving member for rotating the latter, said motor being operatively connected to said actuator so as to move with said driving member.

31. The fur treating machine of claim 29, in which said actuator is pivotally mounted on said frame. 1

32. In the fur treating machine of claim 29, said actuator being pivotally mounted on said frame, a motor, and operative connections between said motor and said rotatable driving member for rotating the latter, said motor, said operative connections and said rotatable driving member being cperatively connected to said actuator and mounted on said frame so as to be pivotable about an axis parallel to that pivotal axis of said actuator.

33. A fur treating machine comprising a frame, a carriage pivotally mounted therein, a plurality of guides on said carriage, an endless belt positioned on and movable over said guides, an arm pit otally mounted on said carriage and extending in opposite directions from its pivotal axis; means for adjustably fixing the pivotal position of said arm on said carriage, one of said guides being rotatably mounted on said arm to one side of said axis, a rotatable driven member on said arm and operatively connected to said one of said guides for simultaneous rotation therewith, a second rotatable driven member on said arm on the other side of said axis, said driven members being equally spaced from said axis, a rotatable driving member mounted so as to be rotatable about the pivotal axis of said carriage, a belt-type connector linking said driving member and said driven members for simultaneous rotation, said driving member and one of said drivenv members having different diameters so that the portion of said member causing rotation of said one of said guides and also tending to cause said carriage to pivot;

34. In the fur treating machine of claim 33, a

fur treating element on said frame, an inclined track on said frame oriented toward said arm, an

operative sliding connection between said car-' riage and said traclgand' an actuator 'pivotally connected to said carriage for movinglit along said track toward and away from said element, said rotatable driving member being rotatable about the pivotal axis between said actuator and said carriage and being operatively connected to said carriage so as to move with and to the same extent as said carriage. I

35. In the fur treating machine of claim 34, a motor operatively connected to said rotatable driving member for rotating the latter, said motor being operatively connected to said actuator so tomove with said driving member.

36. The fur treating machine of claim 34, in which said actuator is pivotally mounted on said frame. 7

37. In the fur treating machine of claim 34, said actuator being pivotally mounted on said frame, a motor, and operative connections between said motor and said rotatable driving member for rotating the latter, said motor, said operative connections and said rotatable driving member being operatively connected to said actuator and mounted on said frame so as to be pivotable about an axis parallel to the pivotal axis of said actuator.

38. A fur treating machine comprising a frame, a fur treating element thereon, guiding means on said frame and oriented toward said element, a carriage in said frame operatively connected to and movable along said guiding means toward and away from said element, a belt movably mounted on said carriage and adapted to engage with said element when said carriage is moved theretoward, driving means movably mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said belt 1 and away from said element and operatively'connected to said driving means for moving it with respect to said frame corresponding to the motion of said carriage.

39. A fur treating machine comprising a frame, a fur treating element thereon, a carriage movably mounted in said frame below and to one side of said element, means on said frame and operatively connected to said carriage for constraining said carriage to translate along a pre-determined path simultaneously upwardly and sidewardly toward said element, 'a'belt movably mounted'on said carriage and-adapted to engage with said element when said carriage is moved theretoward, driving means movably mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said belt for moving said belt over said carriage, and an actuator operatively connected to said carriage for imparting motion thereto along said pro-determined path and operatively connected to said driving means for moving it with respect to said frame corresponding to the motion'of said carriage.

40. A fur treating machine comprising a frame, a fur treating element thereon, a carriage movablymounted in said frame below and to one side of said element, means on said frame and operatively connected ,to'said carriage for constraining said carriage to translate along a pre-determined path simultaneously upwardly and sidewardly toward said element, a belt movably mounted on saidcarriage and adapted to engage with said element when said carriage is moved theretoward, driving means movably mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said belt for moving said belt oversaid carriage, and an actuator pivotally connected to said carriage for imparting motion thereto along said pre-determined path and operatively connected to said driving means for moving it with respect to said frame corresponding to the motion of said carriage.

41. In a fur treating machine comprising a fur treating element and a pressure belt movable toward and away therefrom, the improvement which comprises a carriage movable toward and away from said fur treating element and having a plurality of spaced guides, a belt positioned over said guides, one of said guides being mounted on said carriage so as to be movable between an extended position in which the belt positioned thereover is tensioned and a retracted position closer to said carriage than said extended position, movement of said one of said guides to retracted position thus causing said belt to collapse on said carriage.

42. In a fur treating machine comprising a fur treating element and a pressure belt movable toward and away therefrom, the improvement which comprises a carriage movable toward and away from said fur treating element and having a plurality of spaced guides, a belt positioned over said guides, one of said guides being mounted on said carriage so as to be movable in-an overcenter manner between an extended position in which the belt positioned thereover is tensioned and a retracted position closer to said carriage than said extended position, movement of said one of said guides to retracted position thus causing said belt to collapse on said carriage.

43. In a fur treating machine comprising a fur treating element and a pressure belt movable toward and away therefrom, the improvement which comprises a carriage movable toward and away from said fur treating element and having a plurality of spaced guides, a belt which is at least somewhat extensibly positioned over said guides in tensioned condition, one of said guides being mounted on said carriage so as to be movable between an extended position comparatively remote from said carriage and a retracted position closer to said carriage than said extended position, movement of said one of said guides to retracted position thus causing said belt to collapse on said carriage, the tension in said belt normally tending to retain said one of said guides in its extended position but said beltyieldably lengthening in response to the application of pressure on said one of said guides to permit it to be moved to retracted position.

44. In a fur treating machine comprising a fur treating element and a pressure belt movable toward and away therefrom,- the improvement which comprises a carriage movable toward and away from said fur treating element and having a plurality of spaced guides including an offset guide out of line with a pair of opposed guides, a

belt positioned over said guides,said offset guide being pivotally mounted on an arm extending from said carriage at an acute angle with respect to a line between said opposed guides, said offset guide being movable between an extended position substantially in line with said arm, in which position said belt is tensioned thereover, and a retracted position pivotally displaced from said extended position in a direction away from said acute angle and closer to said carriage than said extended position, movement of said ofiset guide to retracted position thus causing said belt to collapse on said carriage.

45. In a fur treating maching comprising a fur treating element and an endless pressure belt movable toward and away therefrom and also movable in the direction of its own length, the improvement which comprises a carriage movable toward and away from said fur treating element and having a plurality of spaced guides, an endless belt positionable over said guides, means for moving said belt over said guides in a given direction, one of said guides being pivotally mounted on said carriage so as to be movable between an extended position in which the belt is tensioned and a retracted position closer to said carriage than said extended position, movement of said one of said guides from extended to retracted position being opposite to the direction of movement of said beltover said one of said guides, movement of said one of said guides to retracted position thus causing said belt to collapse on said carriage, movement of said belt over said guides normally tending to retain said one of said guides in extended position.

46. In a fur treating machine comprising a fur treating element and an endless pressure felt movable toward and away therefrom and also movable in the direction of its own length, the improvement which comprises a carriage movable toward and away from said fur treating element and having a plurality of spaced guides, an endless belt positionable over said guides, means for moving said belt over said guides in a given direction, one of said guides being pivotally mounted on said carriage so as to be movable in an over-center manner between an extended position in which the belt is tensioned and a retracted position closer to said carriage than said extended position, movement of said one of said guides from extended to retracted position being opposite to the direction of movement of said belt over said one of said guides, movement of one of said guides to retracted position thus causing said belt to collapse on said carriage, movement of said belt over said guides normally tending to retain said one of said guides in extended position.

47. In a fur treating machine comprising a fur treating element and an endless pressure belt movable toward and away therefrom and also movable in the direction of its own length, the improvement which comprises a carriage movable toward and away from said fur treating element and having a plurality of spaced guides including an offset'guide out of line with a pair of opposed guides, an endless belt positionable over said guides, means for moving said belt over said guides in a given direction, said offset guide being pivotally mounted on an arm extending from said carriage at an acute angle with respect to a line between said opposed guides, said offset guide being movable between an extended position substantially in line with said arm, in which position said belt is tensoned thereover, and a retracted postion pivotally displaced from said extended position in a direction away from said acute angle and closer to said carriage than said extended position, movement of said offset guide to retracted position thus causing said belt to collapse on said carriage.

48. The fur treating machine of claim 38, in which said driving means is pivotally mounted on said frame.

49. The fur treating machine of claim 39, in which said driving means is pivotally mounted on said frame.

50. The fur treating machine of claim 40, in which said drivingmeans is pivotally mounted on said frame.

51. A fur treating machine comprising a frame, a fur treating element thereon, a carriage movably mounted in said frame so as to be movable toward and away from said element, a belt movably mounted on said carriage and adapted to engage with said element when said carriage is moved theretoward, driving means movably mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said belt for moving said belt over said carriage, and an actuator operatively connected to said carriage for moving it toward and away from said element and operatively connected to said driving means for moving it with respect to said frame corresponding to the motion of said carriage.

52. The fur treating machine of claim 51, in which said driving means is pivotally mounted on said frame.

53. A fur treating machine comprising a frame, 7

a fur treating element thereon, a carriage movably mounted in said frame below and to one side of said element and movable toward and away from said element, a belt movably mounted on said carriage and adapted to engage with said element when said carriage is moved theretoward, driving means movably mounted on said frame andoperatively connected to said belt for moving said belt over said carriage, and an actuator pivotally connected to said carriage for imparting motion thereto toward and away from said element, said actuator being pivotally connected to said driving means for moving said driving means with respect to said frame corresponding to the motion of said carriage.

54. The fur treating machine of claim 53 in which said driving means is pivotally mounted on said frame.

SAMUEL FRIEDMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

